Practical Wisdom from the Entrepreneurs Creative Edge by William Reed

Do you pause to take time out, give yourself a rest? It is in the interludes of life where we come back to ourselves, refresh, and rejuvenate. Interludes are perhaps appreciated best by those whose lives are otherwise dramatic and eventful. 

 

Gift from the Sea is a bestselling book written in 1955 by Ann Morrow Lindbergh, a pioneering aviator and author. She was also famous as the wife of Charles Lindbergh, who made the first trans-Atlantic flight in a plane called The Spirit of St. Louis. This solo flight was made on May 10, 1927, a 33.5-hour flight in a single-engine plane, from New York to Paris. 

 

Gift from the Sea is a celebration of tranquility, a classic book on how to savor the interludes of life, and the gifts of nature. Ann Morrow Lindbergh lived a long life, passing away at the age of 94 in 2001. 

 

It is ironic that this classic was written by a person whose life was anything but tranquil. The Lindbergh's lives were stormy and eventful, marked by pioneering missions in aviation, historic news headlines, the drama and trauma of scandalous affairs, controversial political views, and tragedy in the kidnapping and death of their 20-month old baby. Ann Morrow Lindbergh's words have more weight than that of someone just telling you to take it easy. Her authority comes from the depth of her experience. 

 

Have you ever had any storms in your life? Found yourself experiencing both the thrill of exploration and the chill of isolation by trying something new? Have you ever dreamed of adventure, whatever that means to you? Then you will certainly appreciate the treasures that can be found in a tranquil interlude. 

 

For me the world of calligraphy is just such an oasis in time. Brush calligraphy is a celebration of interludes in ink. The brush helps you encounter the meaning of the character with all of your senses. Though the brush strokes are painted in a brief moment, their traces are lasting. 

 

The resonance of the character does not fade, but actually intensifies and grows rich in associations over time. Calligraphy captures the essence of a key word, and reminds us of its deeper meaning. 

 

Many people have a fear of silence, an aversion to empty space. The temptation is to fill that which we perceive as empty with objects and activity, rather than to appreciate the interlude, and all that comes in between. 

 

There are companies today which are trying to survive the recession by putting pressure on subcontractors to cut prices even further, and by forcing employees to work harder and faster for less money. Rushing to get more done in less time is a sure recipe for burnout. Even machines need a rest! But for human beings, if you kill the interlude you kill the spirit. 

Charlie Chaplin parodied this situation in his movie classic, Modern Times. Laughter is one of life’s shortest and sweetest of interludes. 

Poet Linda Ellis wrote of a reverend’s words at the funeral of a friend. 

 

He noted that first came the date of her birth 
And spoke the following date with tears, 
But he said what mattered most of all 
Was the dash between those years. 

 

The dash is the Interlude. It is not that which is measured by the calendar or the clock. Time is not a race to be won, but a river to be enjoyed. 

 

What does the word interlude mean to you? 

What and who makes you laugh? 

 

Where do you go to find repose? 

 

Do you go there often enough? 

William Reed 
http://www.entrepreneurscreativeedge.com